Solvent-free oil dispersant

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward an oil dispersant composition useful in treating oil spills, and for cleanup of the shoreline, animals, plants, and equipment. The oil dispersant product is a non-toxic, solvent-free composition which efficiently breaks down grease, grime and crude oil at the molecular level, by breaking down the hydrocarbon chains and preventing the oil molecules from ever reforming again.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/790,879,filed on Mar. 8, 2013, and now abandoned, which is a continuation ofSer. No. 13/495,236, filed on Jun. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,415,286, which issued on Apr. 19, 2013, the contents of each of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a solvent free, non-toxic oil dispersantproduct and a method for its production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The oil industry's preferred method of marine spill response in theUnited States is the use of chemical dispersants. The use of suchdispersants serves a useful purpose since it does cause the oil to sinkout of sight, eliminating the severity of surface associated phenomenonsuch as oil soaked birds and the like. Unfortunately, many of thedispersants listed in the EPA National Contingency Plan's ProductSchedule have inherent toxicity issues, which often times exacerbate theproblem. As a result of their application, the oil/dispersant mixture isbrought to much lower depths, where the presence of this toxic blendcauses a variety of problems over time.

The problem with dispersants is illustrated by what has been occurringin the Gulf of Mexico subsequent to the BP oil spill. The testingauthorities often use outdated and minimal testing procedures fordispersants, which results in an underestimation of the chemicals'impacts to marine and human life. Many of the reported chemicals indispersants are known human health hazards; as are many of theproprietary chemicals incorporated therein. Dispersants have beenlinked, or heavily implicated, with the widespread occurrences oflesions and maladies in fish and shellfish, dolphin deaths, and dramaticdecline in populations of some Gulf species such as shrimp andkillifish.

As a result of past catastrophic events such as the Exxon Valdez spillin Alaska, and the recent oil spills that occurred in the Gulf ofMexico, we have all become aware of the dire need to properly addressthe situation without further damaging the environment and destroyinganimal and sea life.

This long felt need for a non-toxic, solvent free dispersant isaddressed by the instant invention, which is a very unique dispersantproduct, designated DXR-02™ that efficiently breaks down grease, grimeand crude oil at the molecular level, by breaking down the hydrocarbonchains and preventing the oil molecules from ever reforming again.

Once DXR-02™ comes in contact with the oil, any agitation (such asmotion of the waves and currents in the ocean) will accelerate thebreaking down process of the oil, leaving DXR-02™ to biodegrade within 9to 12 days. After this process is completed, the dispersed oil will benaturally absorbed back into the environment, without any further damageor danger to nature.

DXR-02™ is a clear, slightly yellow liquid that is formed from aproprietary blend of cleansers and surfactants and a high dilution ofpure water. The unique blend of ingredients exhibit the ability to breakdown the hydrocarbon chain and prevent any reconnection, therebyresulting in a unique oil dispersant utility. The pH of about 8.5renders it non-alkaline, which in turn makes it good for theenvironment. Water being the catalyst, the more water you use the betterit works.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 7,915,212, to Yeung et al., relates to a block polymericmaterial. Typically the block polymer comprises units capable of havingan average cationic charge density of about 15 or less, preferably 5 orless, more preferably from about 0.05 to about 5, even more preferablyfrom about 0.05 to about 2.77, even more preferably from about 0.1 toabout 2.75, most preferably from about 0.75 to about 2.25 units per 100daltons molecular weight at a pH of from about 4 to about 12. Thepolymeric material is a suds enhancer and a suds volume extender forpersonal care products such as soaps and shampoos. The compositions haveincreased effectiveness for preventing re-deposition of grease duringhand and body washing. The polymers are also effective as a soil releaseagent in fabric cleaning compositions. The polymeric material is alsoeffective in oil well treating foam, fire-fighting foam, hard surfacecleaning foam, shaving cream, post-foaming shaving gel, depilatories andas a coagulant/retention aid for titanium dioxide in paper making.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,463, to Jacob et al., is directed toward aneffective and non-toxic oil spill dispersant which includes apredominately oil-soluble surfactant (e.g., polyethylene glycolmono-oleate) with a predominately water-soluble surfactant (e.g.,cocoamide) and a co-solvent for coupling a mixture of the predominatelyoil-soluble surfactant and the oil spill, with the predominatelywater-soluble surfactant. Water is included in the combination to helpadvance the interaction between the predominately oil-soluble surfactantand the predominately water-soluble surfactant as well as theco-solvent. The water component also helps reduce the viscosity of thedispersant to allow it to be pumped under pressure.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,473, to Lessard et al., describes a formulation ofchemical surfactants, solvents and inorganic salts which is effectivefor dispersing heavy oils in both salt and fresh water. The formulationcomprises a mixture of a sorbitan ester of an aliphatic monocarboxylicacid, a polyoxyethylene adduct of a sorbitan monoester of an aliphaticmonocarboxylic acid, an alkali metal salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate, apolyoxyethylene adduct of a sorbitan triester of a monocarboxylic acid,a solvent comprising a hydrocarbon and/or a glycol ether and aninorganic salt containing a soluble divalent cation such as calcium ormagnesium.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,978, to Vanderpool et al, describes a surface activecomposition for dispersing an oil in an aqueous media and/or forinhibiting deposition of oil on a surface of a water carrying system.Preferably, the water carrying system is at least one system selectedfrom the group consisting of a cooling tower, a cooling tower fill,means for heat exchange, means for industrial processing, and a body ofwater. A method for inhibiting deposition of an oil on a surface of awater carrying system is also provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,011, to Avila, teaches a method for recuperatingcrude oil from the body of a spill. First, the body of the spill issprayed at low pressure then the same operation is done at a relativelyhigher pressure of at least 100 p.s.i. After the dispersant is allowedto penetrate the body of the spill for several hours, physical agitationof the body of the spill is induced by the use of air compressorsoperating in the range between 500 and 700 psi causing the crude oil todisperse and come to the surface. The crude oil is then extracted fromthe spill through the use of skimmers and vacuum suction means andsubsequently processed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,320, to Hosmer et al describes an emulsificationagent for hydrocarbons comprising an ethoxylated nonylphenol, thereaction product of tall oil and an alkanolamine and tripropylene glycolmethyl ether. The agent optionally can include sodium xylene sulfonate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,213, to Mallett et al., relates to a compositionwhich is designed to be used as a cleaning agent and oil dispersant. Thecomposition has a number of active ingredients mixed with water. Thesolution provides for the use of such active ingredients as sodiumlauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, ethoxylated nonylphenol, lauricacid diethanolamide, diethanolamine and propylene glycol. Preferredcompositions contain the following ingredients mixed in an aqueous base:from 0.02% to 2.25% by total weight of sodium lauryl sulfate, from 0.02%to 1.95% by total weight of cocamidopropyl betaine, from 0.002% to 0.25%by total weight of ethoxylated nonylphenol, from 0.04% to 4.25% oflauric acid diethanolamide, from 0.02% to 1.85% by total weight ofdiethanolamine and from 0.02% to 1.85% by total weight of propyleneglycol.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,531, to Fuggini et al., describes compositions forcleaning hard surfaces, which are formulated to leave on the surfacesimultaneously with the cleaning thereof a protective barrier layerwhich serves to protect the surface against further soil deposition,comprising: (A), as cleaning agents, from one to two nonionicsurfactants and an amphoteric surfactant; (B), as protective barriercomponents, lecithin and an aminofunctional polydimethylsiloxanecopolymer; (C), as solvency and grease cutting agents, from one to twoglycols; and (D) water.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,285, to Robbins et al., discloses a method fordispersing an oil spill on sea water which method comprises applying tothe oil spill surface an effective amount of: (i) a blend of one or morehydrophilic and one or more lipophilic surfactants whose ratio is soadjusted that they will form microemulsions with the sea water and theoil to be dispersed, (ii) a solvent which is miscible with the oil to bedispersed and in which the blend of surfactants is substantiallysoluble, and (iii) from 0 to about 10 wt. % water. The blend ofsurfactants is such that it lowers the interfacial tension between theoil to be dispersed and the sea water to less than about 250 mdynes/cmwhen the blend is used at a treating rate of less than about 1 to 100 byweight, based on the weight of the oil to be dispersed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,962, to Becker et al., teaches a hydrocarbonsolvent-based dispersant formulation which combines heavy oilpenetrability, activity on oil spills on either fresh or salt water, andthe density and viscosity required for controllable aerial sprayapplication is provided by the combination of sorbitan monoesters ofC₁₀-C₂₀ aliphatic carboxylic acids and polyoxyalkylene adducts thereof,polyoxyalkylene adducts of sorbitan triesters of C₁₀-C₂₀ aliphaticcarboxylic acids, and a water-dispersible salt of a dialkylsulfosuccinate dissolved in an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon. The additionof a viscosity modifying solvent may be advantageous for adjusting theformulation to needs of specific aerial application procedure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,134, to Osborn et al., is directed toward a methodof dispersing oil in water, particularly useful in oil slick dispersion,secondary oil recovery and tar-sand oil recovery, which comprisescontacting the oil and water with an alkyd resin in which one componentof the resin is the residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol suchas a polyethylene glycol.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,742, to Leonard, is directed toward a solventemulsion type cleaner concentrate, which provides effective cleaning atrecommended water dilutions of 896:1. The concentrate comprises about30-60 parts by weight of an ethylene glycol monoalkyl ether solvent,together with inorganic alkaline solids and small amounts of two or moresolids-suspending surfactants. The concentrate is non-flammable,ecologically acceptable, relatively non-toxic, and has corrosioninhibiting properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,770, to Goodrich et al., teaches that mixtures offinely dispersed oil droplets in sea water which are often present inoil tanker compartments may be effectively separated by a chemicalflocculating agent comprising a dry powdered mixture of an anionicpolyelectrolyte and a sodium or calcium montmorillonite clay.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,340, to Paviak et al., teaches a method fordissipating oil spills floating on a body of water by dispersing thespilled oil with a novel alkylphenol ethoxylate.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,168, to Malmberg et al., teaches a method ofdispersing a petroleum oil layer from the surface of a body of openwater comprising coating the exposed surface of the oil with a layer offoamed surfactant and subsequently vigorously agitating thewater-oil-surfactant layers after the foamed surfactant has becomesubstantially digested by the oil layer.

US Published Application 2011/0257015, to Bergeron et al., relates to apolymeric material comprising units capable of having a cationic chargeat a pH of from about 4 to about 12; provided that said polymericmaterial has an average cationic charge density from about 2.75 or lessunits per 100 daltons molecular weight at a pH of from about 4 to about12. The polymeric material is a suds enhancer and a suds volume extenderfor hand dishwashing compositions and personal care products such assoaps, shaving cream foam, foaming shaving gel, foam depilatories andshampoos. The polymers are also effective as a soil release agent infabric cleaning compositions. The polymers are also useful inagrochemical foam, fire-fighting foam, hard surface cleaner foam, andcoagulant for titanium dioxide in papermaking.

International Application WO 05097130A1, to Gilbard et al, is directedto novel compositions and methods effective for maintaining eyelidhygiene, e.g., therapeutic treatment and prophylaxis. The presentinvention further provides cleanser compositions and methods that arecompliance enhancing and useful for daily prophylaxis involving the easyand safe application directly to the eyelid in controlled doses formaintenance of eyelid hygiene. The cleanser compositions of the presentinvention can be in the form of a foam.

The prior art cited herein fails to teach or suggest an oil dispersantcomposition inclusive of the particular blend of ingredients disclosedherein. Likewise, the prior art fails to teach or suggest the method offormulation necessary to produce a product having the unique attributesof the presently disclosed invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a novel composition useful intreating oil spills, e.g. as an oil dispersant, and for cleanup of theshoreline, animals, plants, and equipment. The novel composition of theinvention is also useful for soil remediation, e.g. for soil andequipment clean up; and in the automotive industry as a degreaser andoil release agent, and in auto repair shops. Additional utilities can befound in the oil transport, aerospace, e.g. aircraft fuselage and enginecleanup, and food preparation industries.

In a preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment, the composition issupplied as a homogeneous mixture prepared by mixing, in sequence, thefollowing ingredients:

1) 7.3%-9.3% by weight of cocoamidopropyl-betaine;

2) 6.8%-8.3% by weight of tall oil fatty acid;

3) 7.9%-9.7% by weight monoethanolamine;

4) 7.9%-9.7% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=4.5 (avg);5) 8.3%-10.4% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=9.5 (avg);6) 8.4%-10.5% by weight of the tetrasodium salt ofethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; and7) water to make 100% by weight.

In a most preferred embodiment, the composition is an oil dispersantsupplied as a homogeneous mixture of the following ingredients, blendedin sequence, for a time sufficient to provide a uniformly blendedintermediate prior to addition of the next ingredient:

1) 8.87% by weight of cocoamidopropyl-betaine;

2) 7.74% by weight of tall oil fatty acid;

3) 8.68% by weight monoethanolamine;

4) 8.87% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=4.5 (avg);5) 9.06% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=9.5 (avg);6) 9.15% by weight of the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid; and7) 47.63% by weight water.

The resultant composition is a novel blend of cleansers and surfactantswhich is non-toxic and solvent free, and which has the ability, uponapplication to an oil spill floating on a body of water, to acceleratethe breaking down process of the oil, leaving the novel oil dispersantcomposition to biodegrade within 9 to 12 days. The novel compositionacts to break down the hydrocarbon chain and prevent any reconnection,thereby resulting in a unique oil dispersant utility. After this processis completed, the dispersed oil will be naturally absorbed back into theenvironment, without any further damage or danger to nature.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the instant invention to teacha novel composition for use as a solvent-free oil dispersant.

It is a further objective of the instant invention to teach a method ofmanufacture of the instantly disclosed oil dispersant.

It is yet another objective of the instant invention to teach an oildispersant composition that eliminates the toxicity issues attributableto solvent based, heavy metal containing, toxic oil dispersants whichare currently the product of choice for major oil spill treatmentprocedures.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with any accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained hereinconstitute a part of this specification and include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward a novel oil dispersant composition anda method for the production thereof.

In its broadest context, the invention is a composition of matterincluding a number of ingredients, which are formulated in a particularsequence in order to arrive at the novel oil dispersant as hereindisclosed and claimed.

The broadly disclosed composition is formulated by providing thefollowing ingredients within the ranges stated:

1) 7.3%-9.3% by weight of cocoamidopropyl-betaine;

2) 6.8%-8.3% by weight of tall oil fatty acid;

3) 7.9%-9.7% by weight monoethanolamine;

4) 7.9%-9.7% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=4.5 (avg);5) 8.3%-10.4% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=9.5 (avg);6) 8.4%-10.5% by weight of the tetrasodium salt ofethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; and7) water to make 100% by weight.

Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is a synthetic surfactant derived fromcoconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine. It is a zwitterionic chemicalcompound with a quaternary ammonium cation. It is a viscous pale yellowtransparent liquid and is used as a surfactant in bath products such asshampoos and hand soaps, and in cosmetics as an emulsifying agent andthickener, and to reduce irritation purely ionic surfactants wouldcause. It also serves as an antistatic agent in hair conditioners. CAPBis available from Spectrum Laboratories in Gardena, Calif.

Tall oil fatty acid is available under the brand name SYLFAT® FA2, fromArizona Chemical Company of Jacksonville, Fla. The material is anintermediate in the manufacture of soaps, dimer acids, amines, amides,imidazolines, alkyd resins, coatings, and polyesters. It is useful inareas such as specialty industrial and household cleaners, plasticizersfor rubber products, textiles, and surfactants.

Monoethanolamine, MEA, is an absorbent chemical employed, for example,in carbon dioxide scrubbers aboard nuclear submarines. It is availablefrom the Sciencelab Company in Houston, Tex.

A Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate surfactant composition having theformula:

is available as Triton™ X-45 from Dow Chemical Company. It is useful indefoamers, cleaners, metalworking fluids, agrochemicals, textiles, pulpand paper manufacture, oilfields, paints and coatings.

A Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate surfactant composition having theformula:

R=Octyl (C8)x=9.5 (avg)is available as Triton™ X-100 from the Dow Chemical Company. It isuseful in Household and Industrial cleaners, metalworking fluids,agrochemicals, textiles, pulp and paper manufacture, oilfields, paintsand coatings.

The tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is available asVERSENE™ 100, from the Dow Chemical Company. VERSENE™ 100 is describedas a chelating agent, provided as an aqueous solution of the tetrasodiumsalt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. (Na₄EDTA). It will chelate mostmultivalent metal ions (e.g., Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, Zn) in a 1:1 molarratio. VERSENE™ 100 is completely miscible with water, but is notsoluble in organic systems. Na₄EDTA is stable under widely varyingconditions of temperature, acidity, alkalinity, and the presence ofother chemicals. Applications include agriculture, cleaning products,metalworking, oilfield applications, personal care products,polymerization, pulp and paper, scale removal and prevention, textiles,water treatment.

In a preferred method of manufacture, the ingredients are addedsequentially to a vessel, e.g. a high-density polyethylene beaker, andblended with a mixer, e.g. a Lightnin Mixer, available from the SPXCorporation in Rochester, N.Y. Each ingredient is added in sequentialorder, and mixing is conducted in a stepwise fashion for about 10minutes per ingredient, or until a uniform blend is produced, beforeaddition of the next ingredient. While in the mixing stage, some heat isproduced, typically reaching a temperature of about 45° C. Upon cooling,the resultant product is a clear liquid having a slightly yellowishcolor. It is understood that as the batch size increases, the skilledartisan will extend the mixing time between steps so as to assureuniform blending.

In a most preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment, the composition,designated DXR-02™, is an oil dispersant supplied as a homogeneousmixture of the following ingredients, blended in sequence, for a timesufficient to provide a uniformly blended intermediate prior to additionof the next ingredient:

1) 8.87% by weight of cocoamidopropyl-betaine;

2) 7.74% by weight of tall oil fatty acid;

3) 8.68% by weight monoethanolamine;

4) 8.87% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=4.5 (avg);5) 9.06% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=9.5 (avg);6) 9.15% by weight of the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid; and7) 47.63% by weight water.

It has been the inventor's experience that when formulating largerbatches, e.g. 1000 KG, the mixing times increase to about 30 minutes persequence in order to assure uniformity.

A study was conducted to assess the toxicity of the test substance,DXR-02™, to Mysidopsis Bahia, in a 96-hour static, non-renewal test.

Test concentrations were determined by a preliminary range-finding test.A definitive test was conducted using concentrations of 50, 100, 200,400 and 800 mg/L of the test substance. Each test concentrationconsisted of three replicates of ten organisms (greater amount than theprotocol requirement of 20 organisms). Organisms were randomly placed,individually, into each test container containing the appropriateconcentration of test substance. Three replicates of ten (10) organismswere not exposed to test substance and served as controls to demonstratethe condition of the test population. At 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hoursfollowing dosing, each test container was examined for mortality, andthe number of live shrimp was recorded. The test was terminated after96±1 hours of exposure.

The 96-hour median effective concentration (EC₅₀) of DXR-02™ wasdetermined to be 475.00 mg/L with 95% confidence limits of 0.00-677.50mg/L. The NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) for survival wasdetermined to be 100 mg/L. Results presented are based on nominalconcentrations.

Comparisons of 48 hour toxicity with respect to various commercialproducts are illustrated in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Toxicity Comparison Material LC50 LD50 Test Tested Species (ppm)TIME Death guide lines DXR-02 ™ Mysidopsis bahia 600 48 hr OCSPP850.1035 BIODISPERS Mysidopsis bahia 78.9 48 hr N/A COREX Mysidopsisbahia 32.23 48 hr N/A EC9500A COREXIT Mysidopsis bahia 24.14 48 hr N/AEC9527A FINASOL Mysidopsis bahia 9.37 48 hr N/A OSR 52

As evidenced by the values set forth in Table 1, the LC50 in PPM ofDXR-02™ is between about 8 and 20 times that of the commerciallyavailable oil dispersants tested.

The presence of toxic materials such as heavy metal was evaluated withrespect to alternative, commercially available oil dispersants and arereported in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Zinc CyanideDXR-02 ™ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BIODISPERS <2.5 <0.75 <0.75 <0.5 <5.0 N/D<1.20 <0.50 3.9 COREXIT EC9500A 0.16 N/D 0.03 0.1 N/D N/D N/D N/D N/DCOREXIT EC9527A <0.005 <0.01 <1.0 <0.2 <0.1 <0.003 <0.1 0.1 <0.01FINASOL OSR 52 <10.0 <10.0 <10.0 <10.0 <10.0 <1 <10.0 <10.0 <0.4 JD-109<10.0 <10.0 <10.0 <10.0 <1 <10.0 <10.0 <10.0 <0.5 JD-2000 <0.24 <10.0<10.0 <10.0 <0.43 <10.0 <10.0 <0.11 <0.20 MARE CLEAN 200 <0.50 <0.10<0.50 <0.250 <2.5 <0.0200 <2.5 0.611 <0.01 NEOS AB3000 <0.1 <0.1 0.26<0.05 0.21 <0.001 0.076 1.1 <0.05

Table 2 illustrates that DXR-02™ is the only oil dispersant tested whichdid not contain heavy metals. This is thought to be due to the absenceof any solvents in the production of the DXR-02™ oil dispersant of thepresent invention.

The dispersant properties of the composition of the invention weredetermined in accordance with ASTM-F2059, Laboratory Oil SpillDispersant Effectiveness Using the Swirling Flask. The % Effectivenessis illustrated in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Material Tested - South Louisiana Crude Oil Dispersant %Effectiveness DXR-02 ™ 74.28% BIODISPERS 63% COREX EC9500A 54.70%COREXIT EC9527A 63.4 FINASOL OSR 52 71.60%

This test establishes a baseline performance parameter so thatdispersants can be compared, a given dispersant can be compared foreffectiveness on different oils, and at different oil weathering stages,and batches of dispersant or oils can be checked for effectivenesschanges with time or other factors. Basically, the test method coversthe procedure to determine the effectiveness of oil spill dispersants onvarious oils in the laboratory. This test method covers the use of theswirling flask test apparatus. Results obtained using this test methodare intended to provide baseline effectiveness values used to comparedispersants and oil types under conditions analogous to those used inthe test.

Acute Oral Toxicity in Rats:

The test material, DXR-02™, was tested in rats to assess an Acute OralToxicity. The test yielded the following result:

In a Limit Screen, an oral 5000 mg/kg (body weight) dose of this testmaterial, when administered to five female Sprague-Dawley rats, did notresult in any mortality or abnormalities. The LD₅₀ is thus greater than5000 mg/kg. According to the Guide to the Globally Harmonized System forClassification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), the classification ofchemicals, as well as Acute

Oral Toxicity LD₅₀ (mg/kg) for EPA/US/FIFRA, are classified as follows:LD₅₀ Toxic Acute Toxicity (mg/kg) Category Definition 0 ≦ 50 ToxicityCategory I High >50 ≦ 500 Toxicity Category II Hazard >500 < 5000 ToxicCategory III Hazard >5000 Toxic Category IV Low

The LD₅₀ for DXR-02™ was determined to be greater than 5000 mg/kg, whichaccording to above categories, the acute toxicity of this product islow.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious tothose skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for the treatment of oil spills, soilremediation, degreasing and release of oil in the automotive industry,and oil dispersal and equipment clean-up in the oil transport, aerospaceand food preparation industries comprising: providing a compositionwhich includes 7.3%-9.3% by weight of cocoamidopropyl-betaine; 6.8%-8.3%by weight of tall oil fatty acid; 7.9%-9.7% by weight monoethanolamine;7.9%-9.7% by weight of a Nonionic Octylphenol Ethoxylate having theformula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=4.5 (avg); 8.3%-10.4% by weight of a NonionicOctylphenol Ethoxylate having the formula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=9.5 (avg); 8.4%-10.5% by weight of atetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; and water to make100% by weight; and contacting an oil spill, soil in need ofremediation, automotive components requiring degreasing or release ofoil, and equipment in need of clean-up from the oil transport, aerospaceand food preparation industries with said composition; whereby oil spilltreatment, soil remediation, degreasing and release of oil in theautomotive industry, and oil dispersal and equipment clean-up in the oiltransport, aerospace and food preparation industries are effected.
 2. Aprocess for the treatment of oil spills, soil remediation, degreasingand release of oil in the automotive industry, and oil dispersal andequipment clean-up in the oil transport, aerospace and food preparationindustries comprising: providing a composition which includes 8.87% byweight of cocoamidopropyl-betaine; 7.74% by weight of tall oil fattyacid; 8.68% by weight monoethanolamine; 8.87% by weight of a NonionicOctylphenol Ethoxylate having the formula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=4.5 (avg); 9.06% by weight of a NonionicOctylphenol Ethoxylate having the formula:

wherein R=octyl (C₈) and x=9.5 (avg); 9.15% by weight of a tetrasodiumsalt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; and 47.63% by weight water; andcontacting an oil spill, soil in need of remediation, automotivecomponents requiring degreasing or release of oil, and equipment in needof clean-up from the oil transport, aerospace and food preparationindustries with said composition; whereby oil spill treatment, soilremediation, degreasing and release of oil in the automotive industry,and oil dispersal and equipment clean-up in the oil transport, aerospaceand food preparation industries are effected.